Earlier this week, the Chicago Bears made their first big move of the offseason when they placed the franchise label on wide receiver Allen Robinson. The former Pro-Bowl receiver has been the main questioner since last year’s training camp, when everyone and his brother wondered if and when he would receive an extension.
Robinson, who totaled 102 catches, 1,250 receiving yards and six touchdowns last season, has yet to sign a long-term deal, but this season he has about $ 18 million guaranteed under the label with the Bears. But even though the team knows it has its star receiver for at least another year, there is still the big question of who will throw the ball to it.
With commercial rumors and reports about Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson spinning faster than the winds at Soldier Field, one wonders if Robinson’s trade could be the key for the Bears to acquire their top quarterback goal.
For the past few weeks, Wilson has been the theme of the city. The Seahawks quarterback made a big fuss over the past month or so when he expressed frustration with the Seahawks organization for not being protected enough in his pocket. Things got even worse when a report came out saying Wilson was willing to give up his no-trade clause to play with four other teams, including the Bears, if he formally asked to be treated.
Since then, the Bears would have made trading for Wilson a priority. The problem is that Seattle still doesn’t feel like negotiating its franchise quarterback, and if it does, it is believed the Bears don’t have enough assets to lure them in with a deal. This is where Robinson comes into play.
While it is difficult to determine the value of a player in the commercial market, it is possible that Robinson is worth choosing the first round, presumably at the bottom of the round. Teams such as the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars, who occupy the 23rd and 25th overall selections, respectively, are two possible options given their need for the position. Both teams have plenty of room in the cover and have several first-round picks in this year’s draft.
In addition, Robinson has expressed a vague interest in playing for both teams as well. The Baltimore Ravens, who have the 27th overall selection, could also be players, but it is reported that they are not interested in Robinson at the moment.
If the Bears found a deal with Robinson that would give them one of those selections, they would have two options in the first round this year, albeit in the 1920s, as the Bears draft pick is 20th overall. Still, it’s another major commercial chip and could boost the Bears ’offer in Seattle.
It’s no secret, Ryan Pace is desperate for a quarterback and there are reports that the Bears are pushing to make Seattle an offer they can’t turn down. The problem is that their offer is probably not very strong at the moment. Seattle would probably want to get another solid quarterback in the deal, which the Bears can’t offer, and NFL teams will only be able to change draft picks for up to three years in the future.
However, they can pack as many first-round picks as they want, as long as they’re only three years away, according to Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus. Since Pace wants to fly the Seahawks out of the water with a compelling offer, he could consider Robinson’s deal to get an additional first-round selection to sweeten the deal.
Are there four premiums, in addition to additional assets, for resigning from Wilson? For some it is, but it seems that Pace and the Bears don’t mind paying too much for a player of Wilson’s caliber when their jobs are at stake.
Robinson’s loss in the process would hurt the offense, but the class of free agent receivers is pretty deep. Signing someone like Marvin Jones Jr., Corey Davis, Will Fuller V or even Kenny Golladay and pairing them with Darnell Mooney and Anthony Miller wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen. Nor is it guaranteed that Robinson will be with the Bears after the 2021 season, as the two sides still cannot reach an agreement on an overtime.
If the Bears try to seriously negotiate with Russell Wilson, they will need all possible assets to lure Seattle to treat him. Robinson could be the key to surpassing supply. And if the trade is still over, the Bears have that extra option to use it as an asset to advance in the draft, to use it as a commercial chip for another veteran to go on sale later in the season. low, like Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson or Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. The Bears could also suffer if nothing materializes and write another impactful rookie.
Regardless, the Bears seem willing to do whatever it takes to land Wilson. That should possibly mean separating Robinson to make it a reality.